Chicago Public Schools has called off school for its 400,000 students Monday because of the extreme cold and high winds forecast for the region, a decision that many other schools and public institutions across the area are making for similar reasons.
"The safety and well-being of our students is paramount," said CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett in a written statement. "The decision to close schools is never easy. However, based on the severity of the weather we are expecting Monday, I am confident that this decision is in the best interest of CPS students."
All after-school and sporting activities are also cancelled at CPS schools. The district will determine by noon Monday whether to cancel classes on Tuesday. Parents can call (773) 553-1000 or visit the CPS website for more information.
Temperatures Monday are expected to be below zero much of the day, and the National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory that warns of winds of up to 30 m.p.h., with resultant wind chills making it feel even chiller.
Several suburban school districts, including New Trier High School District 203 in Northfield and Winnetka, St. Charles District 303, District 109 in Deerfield and Valley View Community Unit School District 365U in Romeoville, have decided to close all schools Monday, while others said they would continue to monitor weather and road conditions before making a decision this afternoon.
Some officials said a decision may not come until tomorrow morning.
"We've got kids who are pre-kindergarten through eighth grade and some of these kids are small kids. God forbid if a car didn't see them behind a snowdrift," said Chris Jasculca, a spokesman for Oak Park Elementary School District 97. "Between the travel conditions plus the temperatures tomorrow, for us it made all the sense in the world to cancel classes and after-school activities."
The Archdiocese of Chicago said that in light of Catholic Schools Week plans and emergency days already taken, it has asked local school leaders in Lake and Cook County to make a decision based on their own local conditions, officials said in a statement.
For a complete lists of closings, go to the WGN Emergency Closing Center.
Other closings announced for Monday include all campuses of Aurora University, the John Marshall Law School in Chicago, the Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium and all Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago.
The Brookfield Zoo, on the other hand, is scheduled to remain open on Monday, though many animals will be kept inside heated barns, according to Bill Zeigler, senior vice president of collections and animal care at the zoo.
Zeigler said that when the zoo closed for one day earlier this month, heavy snow and road conditions were more of an issue.
"We think that this time we're pretty well-prepared and that we can efficiently move in between buildings rather quickly if we need to without staff having to stay outside for any long period of time," Zeigler said.
Tribune reporter Stephanie Baer contributed.
chicagobreaking@tribune.com | Twitter: @ChicagoBreaking
No comments:
Post a Comment